This blog is still alive, just in semi-hibernation. When I want to write something longer than a tweet about something other than math or sci-fi, here is where I'll write it.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Al Williamson, 1931-2010

Al Williamson, the comic book artist that worked for nearly every publisher but is best known for his work on Flash Gordon and the Star Wars comic strips, died in upstate New York more than a week ago. The New York Times knew he was worth an obituary. So far, the Associated Press hasn't mentioned his passing. The Times got it right and AP got it wrong.

You can click on the picture above to make it bigger. There are actual artists who read this blog, so I'll let them comment more knowledgeably on Mr. Williamson's work, but I love what the black and white illustrators could do to turn a few lines of cross hatching into shadows and highlights. Just like Flash appears to be, I am transfixed looking at her navel, or more literally, the dozen accurate pen strokes that create the illusion of that sexy little indent.